The NBL season hasn't even begun yet, but it has already been a horror start for the Adelaide 36ers, after the organisation was plunged into controversy following a shock coaching change.
Things ignited in mid-August, when the team announced the sacking of head coach Scott Ninnis, just six months into a two-year deal he signed in February.
With just one month left until the season tips off, the 36ers are now forced to deal with mounting scrutiny, both internally and externally, as they attempt to get their pre-season back on track.
36ers cancel pre-season games due to bad weather
Adding to the tumult, the 36ers announced a scheduled pre-season tour to Tasmania, featuring games in Ulverstone and Launceston on Sunday and Tuesday, had been cancelled.
36ers manager Matt Weston explained the reason behind the move.
“It’s really disappointing that the weather has stopped this trip from going ahead, the team were looking forward to playing their first two pre-season matches,” Weston said.
The 36ers are still on track to face the Brisbane Bullets in a pre-season game in Mount Gambier on September 4.
Scott Ninnis 'blindsided' after shock axing
The 36ers raised eyebrows this off-season when they announced the firing of head coach Scott Ninnis just six months into a two-year deal.
Ninnis took over as interim head coach following the sacking of CJ Bruton in 2023, leading the 36ers to an 8-7 record, garnering enough support from the front office, players and fan base to see him given the full-time job.
Should the @Adelaide36ers bring back Scott Ninnis for NBL25 and beyond?✍️
— NBL (@NBL) January 30, 2024
Star guard DJ Vasiljevic endorsed the interim coach for the job following the 36ers' Round 17 win over Cairns 👀 pic.twitter.com/JHPPdhAaEe
But by the end of the off-season, the team decided to go in a different direction, sensationally firing Ninnis in favour of his recently hired assistant Mike Wells.
According to 36ers CEO Nic Barbato, the organisation had lost faith in Ninnis' ability to lead the team in the way that they had expected, and elected to cut the chord early as they prepare for a crucial bounce-back season.
"We felt like the standards we had set as an organisation to reset the basketball culture weren’t quite there," Barbato said.
"Where we are in the rebuild, we just don’t see that Scott’s capability is aligned to where we want to be, after we reflected through the off-season," Adelaide basketball GM Matt Weston added.
"We felt it’s best to make a decision now, we need to move forward."
Ninnis was reportedly furious about the move, with the 36ers roster also shocked about the sudden axing of their head coach.
The former coach released a statement days after the firing, saying that he was 'disappointed and hurt', and also that he expected the terms of his remaining contract to be honoured.
"I was completely blindsided by Monday's news, just 11 days into pre-season," Ninnis wrote.
"The incredible support that I've received from current NBL coaches and players both past and present, as well as 36ers legends, family and friends, club sponsors and the South Australian basketball community has been overwhelming.
"I've put my heart and soul into this club for nearly half my life and I'm deeply disappointed and hurt by this outcome.
"I walk out with my head held high knowing what I achieved at the end of last season and what I was putting in place for the season ahead."
The fallout from this firing also saw Adelaide lose another club legend, with Brett Maher quitting his role in the club’s community programs team as a result of the decision.
Former 36ers star hits out at team on social media
What was already a tough situation for Adelaide was further inflamed Sunday, with former two-time import Jacob Wiley hitting out at the club over several allegations.
In a post made to Facebook, Wiley alleged that the club failed to pay him for the first two-and-a-half months of the season, that a medical emergency he suffered on a plane trip was not treated seriously, and that he was barred from speaking with former head coach Joey Wright.
"Wouldn't even put this out there if they didn't screw everyone that ever gave a shit about the club, the firing of Scott was the last straw for me after we all sacrificed to help get a local legend a job at the club where he belongs," Wiley wrote.
Wiley also alleged that former coach CJ Bruton took photos of Wiley while he was waiting for the ambulance.
The skeletons are coming out of the cupboard in Adelaide...
— Damian Arsenis (@DamianArsenis) August 18, 2024
Jacob Wiley unloaded in support of club legend and sacked head coach Scott Ninnis.
The mess is getting bigger. pic.twitter.com/mmDeHEsUEc
The NBL and the Adelaide 36ers are yet to make a statement regarding these allegations.
